ArkansasArkansas law funds agriculture programs, school meals, forestry, and water projects
For the year ending June 30, 2027, the law authorizes department spending on school meals, forestry work, and water and sewer projects.
What it does
The law authorizes $425.1 million for school food service and nutrition education, plus $23.6 million for school district grants and related programs, including free breakfasts.
The law authorizes money for forestry operations, firefighting equipment and grants, rural fire protection loans, and forest management.
The law authorizes $50 million for water and sewer treatment facility grants and $6 million for water, sewer, and solid waste grants, along with other water programs.
Argument forMoney for school meals and free breakfasts could help districts provide food to students during the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Argument againstSetting amounts aside for specific programs may leave the department less room to shift money when needs change during the year.
More detail
The law authorizes the Department of Agriculture to spend money on school meals and grants to local schools. The amounts cover the department's child nutrition work and grants to local school districts and special programs. The money comes from the funding sources named for each program. These appropriations cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
The law authorizes the Department of Agriculture to spend money on forestry work, including firefighting and rural fire protection. The amounts support State Forestry Commission operations, firefighting equipment and grants, rural fire protection loans, and other forestry programs. Some programs use federal funds. Certain transfers between budget lines require approval from the state fiscal officer. The listed appropriations cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
The law authorizes the Department of Agriculture to spend money on water, sewer, and pollution control programs. The amounts support water quality and pollution control work, water and sewer grants, and treatment facility grants. The money comes from the sources named for each program. Some amounts are for grants or loans. These appropriations cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Notification that SB36 is now Act 135Became Law
- Apr 28DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.To Governor
- Apr 28Reported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
- Apr 27ORDERED ENROLLED
- Apr 27Returned from the House as passed.
- Apr 27Returned To Senate as Passed.
- Apr 27EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
- Apr 27Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.Passed House
- Apr 27Considered in the Committee of the Whole, and recommended do pass.
- Apr 27RULES SUSPENDED
- Apr 23Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.Minor
- Apr 23RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
- Apr 23Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.
- Apr 23EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
- Apr 23Read the third time and passed.Passed Senate
- Apr 23Rules suspended.
- Apr 23Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do PassMinor
- Apr 21Re-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEEMinor
- Apr 21REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
- Apr 21Amendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
- Apr 21Withdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1
- Apr 8Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEEMinor
- Apr 1FiledIntroduced
AgricultureEducationEnvironment & Energy